Walsall FC 0 Colchester United 1 - match report

James Chambers clearance deflected off the Colchester man and past home keeper Richard O’Donnell for the only goal of a rather lacklustre game, ten minutes into the second half.

Andy Butler and substitute Amadou Bakayoko both went close to equalisers for the hosts.

But chances were few and far between, as the Saddlers once again failed to score in front of their own fans.

The Saddlers total of 21 goals at home this season is the lowest in the club’s history.

And after battling for the play-offs for the opening two-thirds of the campaign, Dean Smith’s men ended up in the bottom half on goal difference as they finished 13th.

Dean Smith made four changes to the side which started last week at Stevenage, with Kieron Morris handed his first senior start. James McQuilkin, James Baxendale and Andy Taylor were all included in the starting XI, with Mal Benning and Romaine Sawyers all dropping to the bench.

Meanwhile, there was no final hurrah for loan trio Milan Lalkovic, Febian Brandy and Michael Ngoo who were all omitted from the matchday squad.

Baxendale, restored to the starting line-up, forced Colchester’s Sam Walker into the first save of the game with a curling shot from the corner of the box in the opening stages.

Opposite number Richard O’Donnell then pulled off an even smarter save, pushing away a Gavin Massey curler which looked destined for the bottom corner.

Morris and Sam Mantom both struck drives straight at Walker from distance, the second of which the keeper had some trouble holding.

Top scorer Craig Westcarr then sliced an admittedly difficult chance over from inside the box after an Adam Chambers knock down, before fizzing a shot from distance over the bar.

Chambers almost opened the scoring early in the second half but Walker did well to keep out his low drive from just outside the box, which had threatened to creep inside the near post.

Eastmond then did open the scoring, in bizarre fashion. James Chambers went to clear but the ball struck the midfielder and flew just inside the near post of a helpless O’Donnell.

Mantom looked to hit back straight away and sent a drive from distance wide of the post, while Baxendale was guilty of snatching at a decent chance after the ball fell to him kindly in the box.

Taylor also saw a powerful long range drive deflected over the bar but chances remained few a far between.

In their best move of the game, Adam Chambers had a shot blocked and Taylor again directed an effort just over the top.

Finally chances came. Butler was denied by Walker and Bakayoko saw his effort cleared off the line by Eastmond.

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Comments for: "Walsall FC 0 Colchester United 1 - match report"

mrm66

May 3, 2014 5:17 pm

What a complete disappointment to the season, feels like relegation such is the lack of anything in second half of season. Where do you start to point the finger at what is wrong? Start at the top I suppose.......we need more than a goal scorer now, need a new team built around the few decent players we have. Sorry to say, but money needs to be spent. Speculate to accumulate or so the saying goes. Well done to rest of local teams for at least accomplishing something for the Midlands.

saddler

Graham

May 3, 2014 6:37 pm

Flat is the word that springs to mind. At times some nice link up play but goodness me Dean you will seriously need to sort out the goals drought. Our home form is dire too and might I suggest next season it may be better if the players do their talking ON the pitch. Having had my moan I can't wait for the new season when I can once more see the saddlers home and away. I wish all my fellow fans a happy few months and finally to the two morons that ran on with the flag, don't come back you pair of prize pratts.

paul.m.sambrook

burdened

May 4, 2014 2:04 am

Yet another season of rubbish football, no strikers Smith has brought in have performed and yet he let George Barrowman go. Smith clearly has a lack of man management skills. All our loan players need to go and Westcarr and to give Sawyers a new contract is ridiculous. Our players are good doing there talking on the pages of the Express and Star, when are they going to do their talking on the pitch.Time for change Jeff and Gamble has to take a share of the blame. We need Alan Buckley and Chris Marsh, and let`s get some discipline back! More of the same and League 2 beckon`s.

Sandy Sadler

May 4, 2014 7:48 pm

I was starting to think, that the last game would produce GOALS. Dean had said it would, and owed the home fans a good game to go into the summer with. Bored, lackluster, not much action. Another poor home performance.

What was on show yesterday, worries me for next season. No pace, no real cutting edge football, slow paced attacks.

The money we had last season, over a Million, what has it been invested in?

I feel the only fans turning up next season, will be Season ticket holders, only. No paying fans will come to see we, in the current climate.

To the morons, who started fighting, after the 2 idiots ran on to the pitch, Thanks. You upset my grandson, he wanted to leave and not come back.

Fozzmeister

May 5, 2014 1:22 am

Oh well another season came to a close. Another disappointing home performance mainly due to lack of goals and points. However the antics of a couple of idiots who bumbled onto the pitch with a flag while we were on the attack just about put the tin lid on it. The consequences of their actions could be potentially damaging to the club financially. Idiots. We should've finished higher in the league no question - we know why we didn't though and that's down to lack of cutting edge in the final third.

It's easy to jump on the managers back but for me Deano has done a great job for us since day one, no question. I just wish the board would back him with a bit of money because it would make such a big difference. We still have some very good players and a good style of play about us. Beg steal or borrow plus hopefully a realistic bit of cash and sexy football will return next season.